PP Gomathi Memorial Oration 2024 to feature eminent poet and activist Dr Meena Kandasamy
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, November 30, 2024: The P.P. Gomathi Memorial Education Trust, in collaboration with the Karnataka Theological Research Institute, will host the prestigious P.P. Gomathi Memorial Oration 2024 on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The event will take place at Sahodaya, Mission Compound, Balmatta, Mangaluru.
Renowned poet, writer, translator, and anti-caste activist Dr. Meena Kandasamy, described by The Independent as a "one-woman, agit-prop literary-political movement," will deliver the oration titled "Writing as Resistance".
The annual orations have previously featured distinguished speakers, including Dr. G.N. Devy, Prof. Niveditha Menon, Prof. E.V. Ramakrishnan and Dr. Sindhu Manjesh, covering a range of topics from literature to social issues. Last year’s event also included a Carnatic vocal concert by Vidwan T.M. Krishna, celebrating the poetry of Sri Narayana Guru.
Remembering P.P. Gomathi
The Memorial Education Trust was established in honor of Prof. P.P. Gomathi, a visionary academic who served as Principal of Besant College for Women, Mangaluru, and later as Secretary of the National Women’s Education Society. Known for her relentless advocacy for a society free from discrimination, she worked tirelessly to promote education and equality. Since its inception, the Trust has awarded annual scholarships of ₹1,00,000 to academically meritorious but economically disadvantaged girl students and has hosted lectures by eminent personalities.
About Dr. Meena Kandasamy
Dr. Meena Kandasamy’s groundbreaking work spans poetry, fiction, translation, and activism, highlighting issues of caste, gender, and social justice. Born in Chennai in 1984, she has drawn inspiration from her family’s struggles and her own experiences. Her acclaimed novels, including The Gypsy Goddess, When I Hit You, and Exquisite Cadavers, and her poetry collections such as Touch and Ms Militancy, have received international recognition.
An advocate for marginalized voices, Dr. Kandasamy’s work has been published in 18 languages, and she has received numerous accolades, including being elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2022 and winning the PEN Hermann Kesten Prize for her activism.
This year’s oration promises to be a compelling exploration of literature’s role in resistance and social change. The event is open to all and is expected to draw academics, students, and literature enthusiasts from across the region.